Fire-alarm system.



vF. GCTTSGHALKn FIRE ALARM SYfifiM. APPLICATION FILED AWL-21, 1915.

1,148,014, Patented July 27, 1915.

ammo 8 fezix Ga'ZZSChaZk FELIX.GOTTSCHALK, OF STIRLING, NEW JERSEY.

FIRE-ALARM SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters lPatent.

Original application filed Februai 13, 1914, Serial No. 818,501. Divided and this application filed April 21,

nate the necessity of making electrical con- 4 nections to the telephone line, or connecting thereto or to the instrument, additional devices which could in any way affect the talking qualities of same.

A further object is to provide a system in which simple fusible links may be employed, which by melting, so affect a circuit as to cause the operation of the apparatus con nected therewith, which in turn actuates the telephone switch hook thereby closing the telephone line circuit, and thus enabling a characteristic signal, automatically produced, to be transmitted over the line.

There are other objects as hereinafter described. y In my application, Serial No. 818,501, of which this is a division, I show a circuit and an electrically actuated device for releasing the telephone switch hook, but in some instances it is desirable to have the actuating device spring controlled and provided with a simple electrical release'or trip that will release the spring device, which continues in action for some time without any further action on the part of the electrical device. Such an arrangement is shown in the present application.

Another object is to provide means that will move the telephone hook up and down in a predetermined manner, thereby giving a distinctive signal and one that is readily distinguished from the signal produced by the accidental short-circuiting of the line or by the mere removal. of the receiver from the switch hook. Such a device is a necessity in connection with a common battery telephone line.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a systemembody- Serial No. 22,851.

ing myvinvention. Fig. 2, a modification of the same. Fig. 3, a view of av spring operated device for actuating the telephone switch hook.

Like figures of reference denote the same parts wherever shown.

1 denotes an ordinary telephone instrument of any type. F or illustration, a desk stand is shown. Attached to the switch hook '2 of the telephone is the case 3 containing actuating mechanism connected by lever 4 to the hook, whereby the hook may be moved. Connected to the mechanism in case 8 is the circuit 11 including the source of energy 5 and one or more fuse devices 6 arranged either in multiple or series. These fuses are adapted in the presence of abnormal heat to melt completely, or to either increase or decrease in resistance so as to correspondingly affect the circuit.

The nature and construction of devices equivalent to the fuses just mentioncdare well-known, for instance ordinary thermostats'adapted to expand or contract and thereby open or close electrical contacts in the circuit, may be employed. Also a tube containing mercury which upon expanding serves to close an electrical circuit. All such thermostatic devices I deem to be within the scope of my invention in so far as they may be used to bring about the result herein at-f the before mentioned devices.

In operation, the fuses being arranged as shown in Fig. 1, abnormal heat will cause one of same to close the circuit, thereby permitting the current from 5 to flow. This re leases the mechanism in case 3 and the telephone hook 2' is moved up and down in a predetermined manner, thereby giving a distinctive signal at the central ofiice, to which the telephone is connected. The mechanism in case 3 may be of the ordinary clock work type arranged to be wound by the key 7 and having an electrical release pawl or dog operated by a magnet. These parts are shown in dotted lines, Fig. 3, and such arrangements are well known and used where such motions are desired.

In 2 is shown a modification of the arrangement just described. Around each fuse are bridged the relays 8 and 9 having contacts adapted to control circuits carrying devices such asthe electric horn 10 whichbeing in operation at the same time as the telephone receiver hook is raised (the hook actuating device being connected to circuit 11, as in Fig. 1 ,1 distinctive signal is heard over the line in addition to the usual signal given by the up and down motion of the switch hook.

10 may be a phonograph adapted to repeat the word Fire and the location of the premises-a feature particularly valuable when the telephone is on a party line.

Having thus described my invention, 1'

claim 2 1. In an electric alarm system of the character described, the combination with a tele phone instrument of means supported by said instrument for intermittently actuating the switch hook thereof, a local alarm circuit including asource of energy, and means m said circuit tor releasing said hook actuating means.

2. In an electric alarm system of the charactor described, the combination with a telephone instrument having a switch hoolnof means supported by said telephone instrument for intermittently actuating said switch hook, said means comprising a solid lever connection to said hook, a source of for repeatedly actuating said switch hook in a predetermined manner for the )urpose specified, and means for electrically controlling said actuating means.

4. In an electric alarm system of the charact-er described, the combination with a desk telephone instrument having aswitch hook and vertical stem of actuating means for repeatedly raising and lowering said switch hook clamped to said stem, and electrically operated means for controlling said actuating means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FELIX GOTTSQHALK.

Witnesses A. E. Moiuus, (iWYNXI-J ll. LEWIS. 

